8 Day Edinburgh & Highlands Itinerary Help

Check the Visit Scotland and Historic Scotland online sites. This will be helpful in planning your itinerary. The "Highlands", is only a corner of Scotland. Check to see all the wonderful stuff you might be missing in the larger part. Follow the Mary Queen of Scots Trail. Visit Bobbie Burns home town. Visit the Borders Abbeys. If your Husband wants to golf at St Andrews he should make inqueries soon. I've noticed that Skye is getting overly popular; make reservations and wear rain gear. We were in Scotland in April and we had snow flurries...but in all the weather wasn't too bad.

I spent 2 weeks in Scotland last September--solo trip to celebrate my birthday! I'm a big fan of the trains--no worrying about getting the hang of driving on the "wrong" side of the road, car rentals, etc . Yes, it can limit your choices. But it's a thought!
I spent 3 nights in Edinburgh, then took the train to Aberdeen for 2 nights--I highly recommend Aberdeen as a central location for at least a couple nights--- the amazing Dunnottar Castle is just a short drive (or bus ride) away, Balmoral Castle is close by as well.
I then took the train from Aberdeen to Inverness for 3 nights-- I stayed at an amazing B/B called Oak Villas. Margo is a sweetheart, and her breakfasts are to die for! I took the bus from Inverness to Culloden, and I did a full day trip on Jacobite Cruises-- bus picks you up at the Inverness bus/train station-- we visited the Loch Ness Exhibition Center, Corrimony Cairn, Urquhart Castle, and then a 90 minute boat trip back up the Loch to Inverness.

I had so much fun, that I am going back this September on another solo trip for my birthday ! this time I rented a flat in Edinburgh via Airbnb--right in the Grassmarket district-- That is where I stayed last year (Grassmarket hotel is awesome, but pricey) Last year I paid $500+ US for 3 nights. The flat, which is .2 mile away at the other end of the Grassmarket cost me $700 for 5 nights---and I have a washer! Rick Steves would be proud of me, as I travelled for 2 weeks with just a carry on. But washing your clothes in your sink is no fun. I am going to base myself in Edinburgh and then take the train to Stirling, Glasgow, etc. (then travel on to Belfast).

St. Andrews is an incomparable experience for anyone who loves golf, and you don't have to actually play a round to get the experience. You can book a walking tour of the Old Course (though be warned, it mostly consists of standing around by the 1st / 18th hole listening to golf jargon and tales of famous golfers), play the Ladies Putting Green a.k.a. "Himalayas," and visit the British Golf Museum, whose cafeteria overlooks the Old Course. It is beautiful. If your husband wants to play a round, investigate now. I believe tee times are assigned by lottery but I'm not sure. I would advise staying overnight, not trying to cram it all into a day trip from Edinburgh.

If you rent a car in Edinburgh you can drive to St. Andrews (1st night), then via Dundee and Perth go up the A9 to Inverness / Culloden (2nd night -- note that Nairn, near Culloden & Clava Cairns, has more charm than Inverness; I can recommend Tali Ayer B&B). Next day, drive along Loch Ness to Eilean Donan and the Isle of Skye via Kyle of Lochalsh bridge (3rd night). Next day drive through Glen Coe and head back south via Stirling (4th night). Next day return to Edinburgh.

Hope this helps!

Epltd, thank you for your reply re: itinerary and St. Andrews info! I'm so sorry I am just responding now. The itinerary you suggested sounds like a great fit for us, much appreciated!

Hi Nicole, glad you found it useful!

I happened to be looking at prices for the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews and it's actually not too much of a splurge . . . AND it has an indoor swimming pool. Just saying!

Epltd has got you covered really well. We followed this path last year. Only change we spent a night in Glencoe. You will need a day to do Skye and Eilean Donan. Half day for Culloden and Clava Cairns. Try to add Cardaw Castle (near Culloden) to your list of things to see.
Have you organised your car hire yet? If not, I can highly recommend Arnold Clarke car hire in Scotland.

Near Inverness - Nairn you may want to choose between devoting time to Culloden battlefield or Cawdor Castle. Culloden is fascinating for some and it's quite spread out so you'd be doing a fair amount of walking. Or make it shorter with a stop in the visitor centre which has a nice café.

At Cawdor Castle you can see the outer gardens and the herd of Highland "coos" without paying the entry fee -- not that I'm opposed to paying, but if you don't have time to tour the castle you can still get a nice taste of it in 20 minutes walking around.